Following a statewide shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, New York State has begun phases of reopening. As counties in Western New York are on the brink of entering Phase II of reopening, businesses continue to assess how to address health concerns.
In public briefings, Governor Andrew Cuomo has stressed the importance of all citizens wearing face masks when in public to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. This week, Governor Cuomo issued a new executive order, which allows New York State businesses to deny entry to customers who are not wearing a mask or face covering.
As part of the ongoing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, WGRZ 2 On Your Side recently aired a story on Governor Cuomo’s new executive order. Reporter Jackie Roberts explored the legal rights of customers and how this executive order may be enforced. Attorney Barry Covert was interviewed to provide legal analysis for this report.
In WGRZ’s...

The Department of Homeland Security recently announced that it is suspending applications for Trusted Traveler Programs from residents of New York State. Trusted Traveler Programs, such as NEXUS and other global entry, allows for an expedited process for pre-screened travelers who are traveling between the United States and Canada.
As reported by WGRZ 2 On Your Side, the federal government cited New York State’s recently enacted Green Light Law as the reason for suspending Trusted Traveler Program applications from New York State residents. The Green Light Law allows illegal aliens, who are residing in New York State, to receive a state issued driver’s license. In addition, the Green Light Law prohibits New York State DMV data from being shared with federal law enforcement agencies such as Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
New York State officials who support the Green Light Law argue that other states already have similar laws in...

Cameron Collins, the son of former Congressman Chris Collins, was sentenced for his involvement in an insider trading case. The sentence handed down by a federal judge in Manhattan did not include any jail time. Cameron Collins was sentenced to five years probation. The sentence includes six months of home confinement, five hundred hours of community service, and a fine of $150,000.
In October 2018, Cameron Collins plead guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud. He could have faced a maximum sentence of forty-six months in prison.
Cameron Collins’ sentencing came nearly a week after his father, former Congressman Chris Collins, was also sentenced in this insider trading case involving Innate Immunotherapeutics. Chris Collins was sentenced to 26 months in prison.
WGRZ 2 On Your Side reported live as the sentence was handed down to Cameron Collins. Attorney Barry Covert was in studio to provide immediate legal analysis of the sentencing. Continue reading this...

Kenneth Achtyl, a former Deputy with the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, is scheduled to be sentenced by an Orchard Park town justice on the evening of January 23rd.
Prior to the sentencing, WGRZ 2 On Your Side aired a report on the support Achtyl has received and how it may impact the severity of his sentence. Attorney Barry Covert was interviewed to provide legal analysis for the report. Continue reading this post for Barry Covert’s comments and click on the video below to watch the full report, which includes the interview with Barry Covert.
While serving as an Erie County Sheriff’s Deputy in 2017, Kenneth Achtyl was accused of assaulting a 25 year old man at a Buffalo Bills tailgate. It is reported that the man suffered a bloodied face, broken nose, and concussion due to the altercation with Achtyl.
In September 2018, an Orchard Park jury found Kenneth Achtyl guilty of assault...

Attorney Barry Covert was in WGRZ’s studio to provide legal analysis as news broke on the sentencing of former Congressman Chris Collins for insider trading.
Chris Collins was first indicted on a series of insider trading charges in August 2018. After claiming his innocence for over a year, Collins plead guilty to charges in October 2019. On Friday, January 17th, a judge in a Manhattan court room sentence Chris Collins to 26 months in prison.
WGRZ 2 On Your Side had live coverage of the sentencing, which included legal analysis by Barry Covert. Continue reading this post for Barry Covert’s comments and click on the videos below to watch the full report, which includes the interview with Barry Covert.
Overview of Sentencing
WGRZ anchor Maryalice Demler asked attorney Barry Covert for his thoughts on the sentencing of Chris Collins. Mr. Covert stated “I thought that Chris Collins really saved the day. His comments to...

A New York State Supreme Court judge recently ruled in favor of a vaping industry group in their lawsuit against New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo.
This past September, Gov. Cuomo’s administration issued an emergency ban on flavored e-cigarettes in an attempt to address teen vaping and the increasing instances of vaping related illnesses. However, a judge ruled that Gov. Cuomo exceeded his authority by issuing the ban and that such an action should be passed by the legislature.
WGRZ 2 On Your Side aired a report on vaping and the decision from a New York State Supreme Court judge, who struck down Gov. Cuomo’s emergency ban on flavored e-cigarettes. Anchor Scott Levin interviewed attorney Barry Covert for legal analysis on the ruling. Continue reading this post for Barry Covert’s comments and click here for the story on WGRZ’s website. Also, click on the video below to watch the full report, which includes...

WGRZ 2 On Your Side recently aired a report in response to outcry in the community regarding the status of an investigation involving a fatal car crash that occurred approximately two months ago.
In October, a Toyota was struck by a Maserati on Seneca Street in South Buffalo. Two passengers in the Toyota died as a result of the crash. WGRZ reports that they have heard from many in the community who want to know why charges have not been filed in the crash and why authorities have not revealed the identity of the driver of the Maserati involved in the crash.
In response to these questions, WGRZ interviewed Erie County District Attorney John Flynn for an update on the case. Attorney Barry Covert was also interviewed to provide legal analysis for the report. Continue reading this post for Barry Covert’s comments and click here for the story on WGRZ’s website. Also,...

New York State’s new criminal justice reform is continuing to capture media attention. Attorney Barry Covert was interviewed by WGRZ 2 On Your Side to provide legal analysis for their latest report on the new law.
As detailed in a previous post, New York State will enact new prison bail reform, which will eliminate cash bail for misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenses. The criminal justice reform bill passed both houses of the state legislature, was signed in to law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and is schedule to take effect on January 1, 2020.
However, the new bail reform has generated criticism from law enforcement and elected officials in New York State. Although the changes have created push back from law enforcement, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has defended the reform.
Gov. Cuomo was recently in Western New York and WGRZ asked him to address the opposition to bail reform. In response to...

A new bill was recently signed in to law, which makes acts of cruelty to animals a federal crime. The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act was signed in to law by President Donald Trump on Monday, November 25th. The bill, which was passed unanimously by the House and Senate, classifies acts of animal cruelty as a federal felony offense with a penalty of up to seven years in prison.
WGRZ 2 On Your Side reported on the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, with anchor Maryalice Demler interviewing attorney Barry Covert to provide legal analysis on the new law. Read below for attorney Barry Covert’s comments to WGRZ on the new federal animal cruelty law. You can also click the video below to watch WGRZ’s full report, which includes Barry Covert’s legal analysis.
What is the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act?
Discussing the new federal animal cruelty law on WGRZ, attorney...

New York State will enact new prison bail reform next year. The reform, which takes effect on January 1, 2020, will eliminate cash bail as well as pretrial detention for misdemeanor and non-violent offenses. In addition, it is reported that the reform will result in the release of hundreds of inmates.
WGRZ 2 On Your Side recently reported that there is some push back and criticism of New York State’s upcoming prison reform. Specifically, President Donald Trump criticized New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on Twitter regarding the prison reform.
WGRZ interviewed attorney Barry Covert to provide legal analysis on the prison bail reform. In addition, WGRZ’s story included comments from New York State Senators Patrick Gallivan and Tim Kennedy, who have opposing viewpoints regarding the upcoming reform.
State Senator Patrick Gallivan spoke publicly alongside law enforcement and expressed concerns about the reform in an effort to amend the law. In WGRZ’s story,...